Senior Project Pathfinder

Help using the print and online resources in the library to research topics for your senior project.

Choosing a topic

Since you have been charged with writing a paper that takes a stand, try the topic guides in the following databases that specialize in "controversial" topics

How to Write a Good Thesis Statement:

The following websites provide suggestions on making powerful thesis statements. Make sure, however, that you follow the guidelines given by your teacher.

Problem Ticket

Promptly report any research issues using this PROBLEM TICKET. Failure to report problems will result in point loss for your productivity/classwork grade.

Running Works Cited/Bibliography

A running works cited will be handed in several times during the course of this paper. Make sure to construct your citations as soon as you have decided to use a source.

Print Materials

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Search the Library Catalog

Try different searches, broadening or narrowing your search:
A. General Nonfiction Books are available for 3-week checkout
B. Reference Books are either for library use only or overnight checkout. Photocopies can be made.
C. eBooks can be read in their entirety on a computer. Links to eBooks are available through the library catalog and via Gale Virtual Reference Library. .

Specialized Databases

The

Databases

Passwords are available in the library. Note: If the widgets listed below do not work use the text links listed in the section below the images.


x

ProQuest 
Enter your search terms:

x

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Congressional Digest provides access to the archives of the Congressional Digest, Supreme Court Debates, and International Debates.

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About the Databases listed above:
**Issues & Controversies** allows you to search pro/con articles on controversial topics.
Citation: MLA available, remove URL.

**ProQuest** provides access to full-text articles from journals and magazines.
Citation: Make sure to change the citation style to MLA 7th edition

**Student Resources in Context**contains reference books, magazines, newspapers, primary documents, and multimedia files on your topic.
Be sure to check out each tab: Reference, Magazines,Newspapers, Primary Documents and Multimedia.
Citation: MLA provided, do not include URL. Check for accuracy.

Opposing Viewpoints in Context has pro/con articles on controversial topics. Be sure to check out all tabs: Viewpoints, Reference, Statistics,
Magazines & Newspapers, Images, Primary Documents and Websites. Print versions of many of the Opposing Viewpoints books are available in the library.
Citation: Available in MLA format, do not use URL. Check for accuracy.

JSTOR contains academic journals, see Mrs. Chen if you cannot access an article full-text
Citation: MLA citation not provided but information needed to construct is given.

**Gale Power Search** - searches 46 Gale databases at once including Student Resources in Context and Opposing Viewpoints.
Citation: MLA citation provided, do not include URL. Check for accuracy.

Science Direct - search scientific journals. See Mrs. Chen if you cannot access an article full-text
Citation: MLA citation not provided. Exporting citation in plain text will give you some of the information required to construct the citation.

Websites

Wikipedia is, of course, prohibited for use in this paper. It is suggested you do not use Google, use these Recommended Search Engines instead:

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Additional recommended sites are available in the left column of the SHS Library's Weblinks page.

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For additional citation information visit the SHS Citation webpage.

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ccby.pngTanya Sasvary, March 19, 2012.